For Top Chef Just Desserts host and judge Gail Simmons, less is definitely more. "Especially in the NY summer, in the stinky sweaty summer heat in New York City: less is best that's what I say. The least amount of clothing you have on you, the better without being completely inappropriate. Super spaghetti strap, tiny little sundress -- it's the only way to go."
Both Padma Lakshmi and Jill Zarin swear by the right wedges. While preaches the power of espadrilles to change an outfit, Jill Zarin's love of wedges is more practical: "This is not something you would think of –- but you need a really good pair of wedges for the summer. Because oftentimes you go to parties on the grass, and you'll sink in in nice shoes," Jill says. "So during the spring you should be looking for a pair of wedges so you don't sink into the floor."
If you're heading to the Clubhouse this summer, you can keep it cas' (and risque). "I am a flip flop guy," Andy says. "I mean I wear flip flops 24/7 during the summer -- to work, at home, to play. I'm all about flip flops. I don't shy away from a pair of short shorts either."
Beverly Hills babe Lisa Vanderpump likes to keep it simple in the summer. "I live in little dresses. They'e so easy because when you wear a dress you don't have to think you know what belt, what skirt, what top, what bottom -- you just slip it on."
Another fan of summer flowy dresses is Jenni Pulos who breezes around in brighte white cotton dresses, paired with the proper footwear of course. "Bedazzled flip flops are a summer wardrobe statement."
Chris March is Mad for plaid. "My summer wardrobe staple I guess has to be this one pair of green plaid shorts that I have that I wear like every day during the summer," Chris says.
SkinnyGirl Bethenny Frankel stays stylish in an array of tank tops. Bethenny claims to have tops in "all shapes and sizes and colors." Considering how organized her closet stays, we believe it.
Rocco's Dinner Party might be a themed affair, but don't expect the host's day-to-day clothes to veer to costume territory. "I'm a shorts, t-shirt, flip-flop guy in the summer," Rocco says. "That's my summer wardrobe."
How does Jeff Lewis keep his manly figure all summer? Spanx. According to Jeff, all he needs is "The white Lacoste, t-shirt probably, and my Converse, and my Spanx."
China Chow, host of Work of Art focuses on protecting herself from getting too many harmful rays. "Panama hats and sunglasses," China says. "I usually wear a cotton cardigan every summer just to cover my arms from the sun and for protection."
Patti Stanger thinks a woman needs to show some legs. "The summer wardrobe staple for girl who has legs is short, short shorts," Patti swears. "And Alice & Olivia makes the best shorts on the market. They fit, they tuck, they suck. It's a definite staple that you can use year to year to year."
Kyle Richards keeps it modest. "My summer wardrobe staple is anything that will cover the bathing suit," Richards admits. "I don't like to be running around in a bikini to be honest. It's not my thing after four kids." Her preferred cover-up: "a pretty flowy thing, like a caftan, something colorful, bright and festive --anything to distract." Maybe she should talk to LuAnn -- she's got the caftan hook-up after the RHONY ladies Morocco trip.
Don't let the constricting nature of this fabric fool you. Kandi Buruss swears, "there's nothing better than a great hot Spandex tank top dress, like a tank dress, because you can put it on with flat sandals and you look cute, or you can put it on with heels and dress it up and go out. And your body always looks good in it."
Curtis Stone claims his summer wardrobe is a bit more "wardrobe" than years past. "I'm a surfer, so I spend my half my time down on the beach, in board shorts and a pair of flip flops," Curtis admits. "Nowadays, I'm on TV so I've got to wear a t-shirt but I never used to."
You don't have to wear a shirt for us Curtis, we love you just the bare-chested way you are.
It might sound crazy, but Jill Zarin swears a summer sweater is one of her necessities. "A Donna Karan cozy because I'm always cold," Jill says. "It's a cashmere long sleeved sweater that sort of has tails that you can wrap around and theirs like 50 ways to wear it, in black or white. I have it in off-white. It's cashmere, even though you don't think of cashmere for the summer." Perhaps those Hamptons' summers are chillier than we thought.
